Sleeve Device For Increasing Shear Capacity

ABSTRACT

A sleeve device for increasing shear capacity of a reinforced concrete slab includes a hollow member, stud members, and head members. The hollow member is positioned on and fastened to a bottom formwork defining the reinforced concrete slab. The hollow member creates a void in the reinforced concrete slab. The stud members are connected to opposing sides of the hollow member directly or using connectors. A first stud member is connected to an upper portion of the hollow member and oriented in a downward direction. A second stud member is connected to a lower portion of the hollow member and oriented in an upward direction. The head members are operably coupled to distal ends of the stud members and embedded in the reinforced concrete slab. The head members transfer shear forces across the sleeve device through an interaction between the head members and the concrete surrounding the stud members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisionalpatent application No. 61/859,396 titled “Sleeve Device For IncreasingShear Capacity”, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Officeon Jul. 29, 2013. The specification of the above referenced patentapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Reinforced concrete flat slabs are extensively used in the buildingconstruction industry. During a manufacturing process, utility pipes aretypically positioned adjacent to concrete columns due to architecturalor mechanical constraints. To position a utility pipe through areinforced concrete slab, holes have to be created in the reinforcedconcrete slab. There are several conventional methods employed to createholes in cast-in-place concrete slabs. One method for creating a hole isby using a formwork that includes a section defining a hole positionedin a specified location inside the formwork. Concrete is then pouredinside the formwork around the section that defines the hole to create areinforced concrete slab with a hole. After the concrete is cured, theformwork is removed.

Another conventional method to form a void during the concrete pour isto use sleeves. The sleeves are retained in the reinforced concreteslab. Although these voids allow mechanical piping to run through thereinforced concrete slab, these voids reduce the structural capabilityof the concrete and the sleeves. The sleeves are generally made of tubeshaped steel that offers no structural capacity due to a lack of bondbetween concrete and steel tubes. Since pipe penetrations reduce shearcapacity of reinforced concrete slabs and in some cases cause shearfailures, design engineers often have to check moment and shearcapacities of reinforced concrete slabs when sleeves are placed in closeproximity to supports such as concrete columns. In many cases,structural modifications are required to compensate for the loss ofshear capacity caused by pipe penetrations. The structural modificationscomprise, for example, increasing slab thickness, providing columncapital, etc., which are costly and space consuming.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a sleeve device thatreinforces concrete slabs while allowing penetrations to be in closeproximity to concrete columns, adds structural capacity to the concreteslabs, minimizes the work and effort required from an engineer, andallows architects and mechanical engineers more flexibility in locatingmechanical piping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed descriptionof the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key oressential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The sleeve device disclosed herein addresses the above stated needs forreinforcing concrete slabs while allowing penetrations to be in closeproximity to concrete columns, adding structural capacity to theconcrete slabs, minimizing the work and effort required from anengineer, and allowing architects and mechanical engineers moreflexibility in locating mechanical piping. The sleeve device disclosedherein transfers shear forces and compensates for concrete slab shearcapacity loss due to penetrations proximal to concrete columns. Thesleeve device disclosed herein is a device, for example, made of metalattached to a concrete structure such as a reinforced concrete slab andconfigured to transfer shear forces in the reinforced concrete slab.

The sleeve device disclosed herein increases shear capacity of areinforced concrete slab. The sleeve device disclosed herein comprises ahollow member, stud members configured, for example, as bent headedstuds, and head members configured, for example, as bent stud heads. Thehollow member is positioned on and fastened to a bottom formworkdefining the reinforced concrete slab. The hollow member comprises aninner space configured to create a void in the reinforced concrete slabby pouring of concrete around an outer wall of the hollow member. Thestud members are connected to the opposing sides of the hollow membereither directly or using connectors. A first stud member is connected toan upper portion of the hollow member and oriented in a downwarddirection. A second stud member is connected to a lower portion of thehollow member and oriented in an upward direction. The head members areoperably coupled to the distal ends of the stud members and embedded inthe reinforced concrete slab. The head members are configured totransfer shear forces through an interaction between the head membersand the concrete surrounding the stud members.

After concrete is cast around the sleeve device, the sleeve device isembedded in the reinforced concrete slab and works together with therest of the reinforced concrete slab. The shear forces within thereinforced concrete slab are transferred from the reinforced concreteslab to a first head member on one opposing side of the hollow memberthrough an internal bearing stress at the first head member and then asa tension from the first head member to the first stud member. Thetension in the first stud member is then transferred through the hollowmember on to the other opposing side of the hollow member, to the secondstud member on the other opposing side of the hollow member, and then toa second head member. After receiving the transferred tension, thesecond head member transfers the shear forces through an internalbearing stress at the second head member, for example, to an opposingside slab, a reinforced concrete column, a supporting column, a wallconcrete, or other support. When the shear forces are transferred acrossthe sleeve device, the sleeve device increases the shear capacity in thereinforced concrete slab and compensates for the loss of the shearcapacity in the reinforced concrete slab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings.However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods andstructures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or astructure referenced by a numeral in a drawing carries over to thedescription of that method step or structure shown by that same numeralin any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a sleevedevice for increasing shear capacity of a reinforced concrete slab,showing the sleeve device positioned in a bottom formwork.

FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of a portion marked Xin FIG. 1A, showing the sleeve device.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a partial sectional view of the sleevedevice.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the sleeve device.

FIG. 4A exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing a hollow member of the sleeve device having asquare cross section.

FIG. 4B exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing the hollow member of the sleeve device havingan octagonal cross section.

FIG. 4C exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing the hollow member of the sleeve device havinga rectangular cross section.

FIG. 5A exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing stud members of the sleeve device configuredas bent plates affixed to the hollow member of the sleeve device.

FIG. 5B exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing the stud members of the sleeve deviceconfigured as corrugated plates affixed to the hollow member of thesleeve device.

FIG. 5C exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing the stud members of the sleeve deviceconfigured as bent reinforcing bars affixed to the hollow member of thesleeve device.

FIG. 5D exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment ofthe sleeve device, showing the stud members of the sleeve deviceconfigured as straight headed studs affixed to the hollow member of thesleeve device.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an isometric wireframe view, showing bentheaded studs of the sleeve device positioned in a different orientationwithin a concrete beam.

FIG. 7A exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of multiple sleevedevices positioned in a reinforced concrete slab.

FIG. 7B exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of a portion marked Yin FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for increasing shear capacity of areinforced concrete slab.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a side view of a reinforced concrete slabwith the sleeve device, showing shear forces acting on the reinforcedconcrete slab, internal bearing stresses at bent stud heads of thesleeve device, and tension within bent headed studs of the sleevedevice.

FIG. 10A exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column and a reinforced concrete slab, showing a shear criticalsection of the reinforced concrete slab.

FIG. 10B exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column and a reinforced concrete slab with a sleeve formed inthe reinforced concrete slab, proximal to the reinforced concretecolumn, and showing a shear critical section of the reinforced concreteslab.

FIG. 10C exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column and a reinforced concrete slab with the sleeve devicepositioned in the reinforced concrete slab, proximal to the reinforcedconcrete column, and showing a shear critical section of the reinforcedconcrete slab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a sleevedevice 100 for increasing shear capacity of a reinforced concrete slab602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, showing the sleeve device100 positioned in a bottom formwork 110. As used herein, “shearcapacity” refers to maximum shear stress that a concrete structure, forexample, a connection between a reinforced concrete slab 602 and areinforced concrete column 702 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B,can withstand before shear failure of the concrete structure. Also, asused herein, “shear stress” refers to an external force acting on astructure or a surface parallel to a plane of the structure or thesurface per unit area. The sleeve device 100 disclosed herein is acast-in-place sleeve device, for example, made of steel used in aconcrete structure, for example, a reinforced concrete slab 602. Thesleeve device 100 disclosed herein comprises, for example, bent headedstuds 104 and 105 or bent rebars welded to a hollow member 101 onopposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101 respectively, toincrease shear capacity around a reinforced concrete slab-column joint701 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. As used herein, “bent headedstud” refers to a reinforced metallic bar used in concrete construction,capable of carrying load across a shear plane or a bending plane.

The sleeve device 100 disclosed herein comprises the hollow member 101,stud members configured, for example, as bent headed studs 104 and 105,and head members configured, for example, as bent stud heads 106 and 107as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B. For purposes of illustration,the detailed description refers to stud members configured as bentheaded studs 104 and 105; however the scope of the sleeve device 100disclosed herein is not limited to the stud members being configured asbent headed studs 104 and 105, but may be extended to include studmembers configured, for example, as bent plates 115 and 116, corrugatedplates 117 and 118, bent reinforcing bars 119 and 120, straight headedstuds 121 and 122, etc., as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D, andfunctionally equivalent members.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, the hollow member 101 of thesleeve device 100 is positioned on and fastened to a bottom formwork 110defining a reinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS.7A-7B. The hollow member 101 comprises an inner space 102 configured tocreate a void 103 in the reinforced concrete slab 602 by pouring ofconcrete 111 around an outer wall 101 c of the hollow member 101. Theinner space 102 is an empty volume defined within the hollow member 101.After the sleeve device 100 is positioned on the bottom formwork 110,concrete 111 is poured around the outer wall 101 c of the hollow member101 and allowed to cure. After a predefined curing period, the innerspace 102 of the hollow member 101 of the sleeve device 100 that isembedded in the reinforced concrete slab 602 defines the void 103 in thereinforced concrete slab 602. The void 103 created by the inner space102 of the hollow member 101 can be of multiple geometric shapes thatsuitably allow components, for example, piping, duct work, air passages,fluid passages, etc., to pass through. The void 103 can also beconfigured in multiple geometric shapes for visual purposes, or otherarchitectural or mechanical needs, etc. The hollow member 101 is furtherconfigured to transfer a tension force from the bent headed stud 104 tothe bent headed stud 105.

The bent headed studs 104 and 105 of the sleeve device 100 exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 1A-3, are connected to the opposing sides 101 d and101 e of the hollow member 101 respectively. In an embodiment, the bentheaded studs 104 and 105 of the sleeve device 100 are connected to theopposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101 using connectors108 and 109 respectively. In another embodiment, the bent headed studs104 and 105 of the sleeve device 100 are welded directly to the opposingsides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101 respectively, without theconnectors 108 and 109. The bent headed studs 104 and 105 are, forexample, small diameter steel bars. A first bent headed stud 104 isconnected to an upper portion 101 a of the hollow member 101 andoriented, for example, in a downward direction. A second bent headedstud 105 is connected to a lower portion 101 b of the hollow member 101and oriented, for example, in an upward direction. The first bent headedstud 104 oriented in the downward direction and the second bent headedstud 105 oriented in the upward direction restrain the reinforcedconcrete slab diagonal crack widths due to shear stresses. The firstbent headed stud 104 is, for example, a bent shear stud or a rebarwelded at the upper portion 101 a of the hollow member 101. The secondbent headed stud 105 is, for example, another bent shear stud or rebarwelded at the lower portion 101 b of the hollow member 101.

The bent stud heads 106 and 107 of the sleeve device 100 are operablycoupled to the distal ends 104 a and 105 a of the bent headed studs 104and 105 respectively, and embedded in the reinforced concrete slab 602exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. The bent stud heads 106 and 107are configured to transfer shear forces through an interaction betweenthe bent stud heads 106 and 107 and the concrete 111 surrounding thebent headed studs 104 and 105. The bent stud heads 106 and 107 are, forexample, stud head shaped enlarged metallic members capable of resistinga force or a load and transferring the force or the load to the bentheaded studs 104 and 105. The bent stud heads 106 and 107 resist thetension from the bent headed studs 104 and 105 respectively, fortransferring the shear stresses formed in the reinforced concrete slab602 across the sleeve device 100. The sleeve device 100 is preassembledand can be installed on site by unskilled labor without using anyspecial tools.

After concrete 111 is cast around the sleeve device 100, the sleevedevice 100 is embedded in the reinforced concrete slab 602 and workstogether with the rest of the reinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. The shear forces within the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 are transferred from the reinforced concrete slab 602to the first bent stud head 106 on one opposing side 101 d of the hollowmember 101 through an internal bearing stress at the first bent studhead 106, and then as a tension from the first bent stud head 106 to thefirst bent headed stud 104. As used herein, “internal bearing stress”refers to an internal stress caused by compressive forces due totriaxial stresses between a concrete structure, for example, thereinforced concrete slab 602, the reinforced concrete column 702, etc.,exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, and the bent stud heads 106 and107. The tension in the first bent headed stud 104 is then transferredthrough the hollow member 101 to the second bent headed stud 105 on theother opposing side 101 e of the hollow member 101, and then to a secondbent stud head 107. After receiving the tension through the hollowmember 101, the second bent stud head 107 transfers the shear forcesthrough an internal bearing stress at the second bent stud head 107, forexample, to the reinforced concrete column 702, or an opposing sideslab, or a wall concrete, another support, etc.

When a penetration is made in a reinforced concrete slab 602 locatednear a reinforced concrete column 702 as exemplarily illustrated inFIGS. 7A-7B, the reinforced concrete slab 602 undergoes a shear capacityloss and tends to fail when loaded with variable loads. The sleevedevice 100 disclosed herein compensates for the shear capacity loss dueto the creation of the void 103 by transferring shear forces in themature reinforced concrete slab 602. The sleeve device 100 disclosedherein is used in monolithic poured concrete slabs 602 which arepositioned proximal to reinforced concrete columns 702. The sleevedevice 100 disclosed herein transfers shear forces by attaching bentheaded studs 104 and 105 horizontally to the connectors 108 and 109welded on the opposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101respectively, and on the upper portion 101 a and the lower portion 101 bof the hollow member 101.

FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of a portion marked Xin FIG. 1A, showing the sleeve device 100. In an embodiment, the sleevedevice 100 disclosed herein further comprises mounting rings 112 rigidlyconnected to and extending outwardly from the opposing sides 101 g and101 h of the lower portion 101 b of the hollow member 101. The mountingrings 112 are configured to fasten the hollow member 101 to the bottomformwork 110 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A, that defines thereinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, tosecure the sleeve device 100 in place. In an embodiment, the mountingrings 112 for fastening or nailing down the sleeve device 100 can bealtered or removed. The materials used for manufacturing the sleevedevice 100 are, for example, any high or low strength steel, alloy orother metal, carbon fiber or other composite material, etc. The size ofthe sleeve device 100 can be increased or decreased depending on therequirements. In an embodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS.1A-1B, the hollow member 101 of the sleeve device 100 is of a generallycylindrical shape. The cross section A-A of the hollow member 101 is,for example, of a circular shape. The hollow member 101 can beconfigured in multiple shapes that allow multiple insertions, forexample, mechanical structures and electrical components to be insertedthrough the void 103 created in the reinforced concrete slab 602, orinsertions that require an opening for mechanical purposes,architectural purposes, or other purposes.

The sleeve device 100 can be made, for example, in a shop. In an exampleof making the sleeve device 100, a steel fabricator cuts a steel pipe toan appropriate length to create the hollow member 101. The steelfabricator then shop welds stud members, for example, the bent headedstuds 104 and 105 to the hollow member 101, where a first bent headedstud 104 oriented in a downward direction is welded to the upper portion101 a of the hollow member 101 via a connector 108, and a second bentheaded stud 105 oriented in an upward direction is welded to a lowerportion 101 b of the hollow member 101 via a connector 109. The bentheaded studs 104 and 105 and the bent stud heads 106 and 107 areprefabricated, or fabricated on site by welding the bent stud heads 106and 107 of predefined sizes to predefined lengths of the bent headedstuds 104 and 105. The mounting rings 112 or form tabs are welded to thebottom plane 101 f of the hollow member 101.

The sleeve device 100 can be located anywhere on the reinforced concreteslab 602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, proximal to slabsupports such as columns and walls. The sleeve device 100 is used, forexample, in flat plate cast-in-place concrete construction in two wayslabs, one way slabs, slabs with beams, or any other type of slabsystem. The sleeve device 100 is further used, for example, in areinforced concrete beam 601 either horizontally as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 6 or vertically, on concrete walls or columns, inbrackets, capitals, corbels, buttresses, ramps, stairs, or any otherportion of a building transferring loads. The sleeve device 100 isfurther used, for example, in concrete on a steel deck, in precastmembers such as bridge components, marine components, facades, plank, Tshaped bridge components, double T bridge components, etc.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a partial sectional view of the sleevedevice 100. The hollow member 101 of the sleeve device 100 is positionedbetween the bent headed studs 104 and 105. The bent headed studs 104 and105 of the sleeve device 100 are connected on the opposing sides 101 dand 101 e of the hollow member 101, for example, via the connectors 108and 109 respectively. The first bent headed stud 104 is connected to oneopposing side 101 d of the hollow member 101, at the upper portion 101 aof the hollow member 101 and extends outward from the outer wall 101 cof the hollow member 101 to connect to the first bent stud head 106 atthe distal end 104 a of the first bent headed stud 104. Similarly, thesecond bent headed stud 105 is connected to the other opposing side 101e of the hollow member 101, at the lower portion 101 b of the hollowmember 101 and extends outward from the outer wall 101 c of the hollowmember 101 to connect to the second bent stud head 107 at the distal end105 a of the second bent headed stud 105. The first bent headed stud 104is located near the upper portion 101 a of the hollow member 101. Thefirst bent stud head 106 is affixed to the distal end 104 a of the firstbent headed stud 104. On the other opposing side 101 e of the hollowmember 101, the second bent headed stud 105 extends away from the upperportion 101 a of the hollow member 101. The second bent stud head 107 isaffixed to the distal end 105 a of the second bent headed stud 105. Theconcrete 111 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A, is cast around thehollow member 101 to create the void 103 in the reinforced concrete slab602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the sleeve device 100.The mounting rings 112 are rigidly connected at the bottom plane 101 fof the hollow member 101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1B, and ondiametrically opposing sides 101 g and 101 h of the hollow member 101.The mounting rings 112 are oriented perpendicular to an axis line 113that connects the bent headed studs 104 and 105. The mounting rings 112that protrude outwardly from the bottom plane 101 f of the hollow member101, affix the hollow member 101 to the bottom formwork 110 exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 1A, such that the bottom base plane 112 a of eachmounting ring 112 is oriented at the same level as the bottom plane 101f of the hollow member 101 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2. Holes114 defined in the mounting rings 112 are positioned outside the outerwall 101 c, that is, the outer diameter of the hollow member 101. Thebent headed studs 104 and 105 are located on the outer wall 101 c of thehollow member 101 and midway between the mounting rings 112 that arepositioned near the bottom plane 101 f of the hollow member 101.

FIGS. 4A-4C exemplarily illustrate isometric views of differentembodiments of the sleeve device 100, showing different cross sectionsof the hollow member 101. In an embodiment, a cross section B-B of thehollow member 101 is of a square geometric shape as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 4A. In this embodiment, the hollow member 101 is ofa generally cubic shape. In another embodiment, a cross section C-C ofthe hollow member 101 is of an octagonal geometric shape as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the hollow member 101 is ofa generally octagonal shape. In another embodiment, a cross section D-Dof the hollow member 101 is of a rectangular geometric shape asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4C. In this embodiment, the hollowmember 101 is of a generally cuboidal shape.

FIGS. 5A-5D exemplarily illustrate isometric views of differentembodiments of the sleeve device 100, showing different configurationsof the stud members of the sleeve device 100. In an embodiment, thehollow member 101, the stud members, and the head members of the sleevedevice 100 are of predefined sizes configured to accommodate differentopening sizes of the void 103 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A, andstructural capacities of the reinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. The transfer of tension to and from thehollow member 101 may be performed using multiple methods. The headmembers of the sleeve device 100 are configured in multiple shapes togenerate tensile stresses in the stud members.

In an embodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5A, the stud membersare bent plates 115 and 116 affixed to the opposing sides 101 d and 101e of the hollow member 101 respectively, for transferring tension to andfrom the hollow member 101. In another embodiment as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 5B, the stud members are corrugated plates 117 and118 affixed to the opposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member101 respectively, for transferring tension to and from the hollow member101. In another embodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5C, thestud members are bent reinforcing bars 119 and 120 affixed to theopposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101 respectively,for transferring tension to and from the hollow member 101. In anotherembodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5D, the stud members arestraight headed studs 121 and 122 affixed to the opposing sides 101 dand 101 e of the hollow member 101 respectively, for transferringtension to and from the hollow member 101.

Although the detailed description refers to the stud members of thesleeve device 100 configured as bent headed studs 104 and 105exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4C, bent plates 115 and 116,corrugated plates 117 and 118, bent reinforcing bars 119 and 120, andstraight headed studs 121 and 122 for transferring tension to and fromthe hollow member 101, the scope of the sleeve device 100 disclosedherein is not limited to stud members being configured as bent headedstuds 104 and 105, bent plates 115 and 116, corrugated plates 117 and118, bent reinforcing bars 119 and 120, and straight headed studs 121and 122, but may be extended to include stud members configured ascorrugated fins, angles, etc., and other tension developing affixationsfor transferring tension to and from the hollow member 101. Further, themethod for transferring tension to and from the hollow member 101 may beperformed using multiple other methods comprising, for example, affixingalternative headed stud members (not shown) as substitutes for the bentheaded studs 104 and 105 to the hollow member 101, configuring ridges(not shown) within the hollow member 101, etc.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an isometric wireframe view, showing bentheaded studs 104 and 105 of the sleeve device 100 positioned in adifferent orientation within a reinforced concrete beam 601. Thereinforced concrete beam 601 is fixedly attached to a reinforcedconcrete slab 602, which is supported by reinforced concrete columns 603and 604. In an embodiment, the bent headed studs 104 and 105 areconfigured to be rotated, replaced, and repositioned to transfer tensionto and from the bent headed studs 104 and 105 and the hollow member 101in different ways and in multiple directions, for example, alongdifferent axes.

The sleeve device 100 is constructed of any suitable material capable oftransferring loads. The components of the sleeve device 100, forexample, the hollow member 101, the bent headed studs 104 and 105, andthe bent stud heads 106 and 107 can be rearranged in multipleorientations to accommodate penetrations in the reinforced concrete slab602. The sleeve device 100 can be rotated, for example, at a right angleto create a void 103 in a horizontal direction within the reinforcedconcrete beam 601. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6, the sleevedevice 100 is repositioned in the reinforced concrete beam 601 bytilting the sleeve device 100 at an angle, for example, about 90degrees. When the sleeve device 100 is tilted, the bent headed studs 104and 105 are also rotated and repositioned within the reinforced concretebeam 601. Furthermore, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6, multiplebent headed studs 104 and 105 are connected to the hollow member 101 toincrease the shear transfer capacity of the sleeve device 100.

FIG. 7A exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of multiple sleevedevices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c positioned in a reinforced concrete slab602, proximal to a reinforced concrete column 702. As exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 7B, which shows an enlarged view of a portion markedY in FIG. 7A, each of the sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 ccomprises the hollow member 101, the bent headed studs 104 and 105, andthe bent stud heads 106 and 107 as disclosed in the detailed descriptionof FIGS. 1A-3. The sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are used inconcrete construction, for example, in cast-in-place reinforced concreteslabs 602. A user places each hollow member 101 at a predeterminedposition in the bottom formwork 110 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG.1A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7A, the sleeve device 100 c ispositioned in a perpendicular direction with respect to the other twosleeve devices 100 a and 100 b.

The sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are positioned on the bottomformwork 110 with the upper portion 101 a of each hollow member 101exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, above an upper portion of thebottom formwork 110. The mounting rings 112 exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 7B, fasten the sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c to the bottomformwork 110 defining the reinforced concrete slab 602 and secure thesleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c in place. The second bent headedstud 105 of each of the sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c isoriented in an upward direction closest to the reinforced concretecolumn 702, and the first bent headed stud 104 of each of the sleevedevices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c is oriented in a downward direction awayfrom the reinforced concrete column 702. The concrete 111 is poured intothe bottom formwork 110 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A, and castaround the hollow member 101 of each of the sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c. Each hollow member 101 defines a void 103 in the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 formed inside the bottom formwork 110 and the void 103remains free of concrete 111.

The sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are embedded in thereinforced concrete slab 602 close to reinforced concrete columns 702.The sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are fastened onto the bottomformwork 110 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A, and embedded in themonolithically poured reinforced concrete slab 602 depending on thelocations of the penetrations. By restraining crack widths in thereinforced concrete slab 602, the bent stud heads 106 and 107 preventfailure due to shear stresses within a threshold shear absorption rangeof the sleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c and result in a largershear critical section size for the slab-column joint 701 between thereinforced concrete column 702 and the reinforced concrete slab 602. The“threshold shear absorption range” of the sleeve device 100 a, or 100 b,or 100 c is defined by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in BuildingCode Requirements for Structural Concrete, ACI 318, chapter 11. Thesleeve devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c compensate for shear capacityloss at the slab-column joint 701 between the reinforced concrete column702 and the reinforced concrete slab 602, for example, due to pipepenetrations, by welding the bent stud heads 106 and 107 attached to thedistal ends 104 a and 105 a of the bent headed studs 104 and 105 on theopposing sides 101 d and 101 e of the hollow member 101 exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 2, respectively of each of the sleeve devices 100 a,100 b, and 100 c.

Consider an example where a reinforced concrete slab 602 is positionedsuch that an edge 602 a of the reinforced concrete slab 602 is proximalto a reinforced concrete column 702 and an edge 602 b of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 is distal to the reinforced concrete column 702 asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7A. A hole is cast in the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 that is proximal to the reinforced concrete column 702for the purposes of passing a piping or duct work. The effective shearforce on the edge 602 a of the reinforced concrete slab 602 proximal tothe reinforced concrete column 702 will be higher than the effectiveshear force on the edge 602 b of the reinforced concrete slab 602 distalto the reinforced concrete column 702. The difference in effective shearforce on the edges 602 a and 602 b causes a difference in shear stressadjacent to the hole on an upper section and a lower section of the holeas indicated by the block arrows in FIG. 7B. An increase in the load inthe hole of the reinforced concrete slab 602 increases the shear stressacross the hole and increases the risk of a shear failure in thereinforced concrete slab 602 at the formed hole. Therefore, thereinforced concrete slab 602 is subjected to a loss of shear capacitydue to the formed hole. To prevent the shear failure of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602, the sleeve device 100 exemplarily illustrated inFIGS. 1A-6, is used during construction of the reinforced concrete slab602 to form the void 103 in the reinforced concrete slab 602 instead offorming the hole in the reinforced concrete slab 602 with a conventionalsleeve.

When the shear forces within the reinforced concrete slab 602 aretransferred across the sleeve device 100 as disclosed in the detaileddescription of FIG. 1A and FIG. 9, the sleeve device 100 compensates forthe loss of shear capacity in the reinforced concrete slab 602 thatwould have resulted while using a conventional sleeve, and increases theshear capacity of the reinforced concrete slab 602 compared to that of areinforced concrete slab 602 with a conventional sleeve. Therefore, theshear capacity of the reinforced concrete slab 602 with the sleevedevice 100 disclosed herein is high when compared with that of areinforced concrete slab 602 with a conventional sleeve. While aconventional sleeve reduces the shear capacity of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 by displacing an area equivalent to the cross sectionof the conventional sleeve, a shear sleeve, that is, the sleeve device100 has the ability to equal or exceed the shear capacity of theequivalent concrete section.

The size of the sleeve device 100 can be estimated by first calculatingan equivalent loss of shear capacity based on a size of a hole formed ina reinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10B. Theloss of shear capacity is based on an equivalent cross section of thesleeve device 100. The cross section area (a) of the sleeve device 100is calculated by multiplying the sleeve device diameter (D) with thesleeve device height (h) in accordance with the formula:

a=(D*h)

When used in a two way slab, the loss of shear capacity (V) can becalculated by multiplying the cross section area (a) with 4 times thesquare root of strength (fc) of the reinforced concrete slab 602 inaccordance with the formula:

V=a*4*√{square root over (f′c)}

where “fc” is strength of the reinforced concrete slab 602, for example,about 5000 pounds per square inch (psi). Consider an example where thesleeve device diameter (D) is 8 inches (″) and the thickness of thereinforced concrete slab 602 constructed of 5000 psi concrete is 12″.Therefore, the equivalent loss of shear capacity is (8*12)*4*√5000=27152lbs. The sleeve device 100 can then be designed to meet or exceed thecalculated value of the equivalent loss of shear capacity. The bent studheads 106 and 107 of the sleeve device 100 are designed to develop therequired load, and the bent headed studs 104 and 105 are designed todevelop the appropriate tension. The connection between the bent headedstuds 104 and 105 and the bent stud heads 106 and 107 respectively isdesigned to transfer the appropriate tension. The wall thickness of thesleeve device 100 is designed to accommodate the appropriate shear.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for increasing shear capacity of areinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. Thesleeve device 100 comprising the hollow member 101, the stud membersconfigured, for example, as bent headed studs 104 and 105, and the headmembers configured, for example, as bent stud heads 106 and 107 asexemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3 and as disclosed in the detaileddescription of FIGS. 1A-3, is provided 801. The sleeve device 100 ispositioned and fastened 802 to a bottom formwork 110 defining thereinforced concrete slab 602. Pouring concrete 111 around an outer wall101 c of the hollow member 101 of the sleeve device 100 creates 803 avoid 103 in the reinforced concrete slab 602 as exemplarily illustratedin FIG. 1A. Shear forces from within the reinforced concrete slab 602are transferred 804 to the first bent stud head 106 on one opposing side101 d of the hollow member 101 through an internal bearing stress at thefirst bent stud head 106. The internal bearing stress from the firstbent stud head 106 is transferred 805 to the first bent headed stud 104as a tension. The tension from the first bent headed stud 104 istransferred 806 through the hollow member 101 to the second bent headedstud 105 on the other opposing side 101 e of the hollow member 101. Thetension from the second bent headed stud 105 is transferred 807 to thesecond bent stud head 107. The second bent stud head 107 transfers 808the shear forces through the internal bearing stress at the second bentstud head 107, for example, to a reinforced concrete column 702 or asupport, after receiving the transferred tension in the second bent studhead 107. The shear forces transferred across the sleeve device 100increase the shear capacity in the reinforced concrete slab 602 andcompensate for a loss of the shear capacity in the reinforced concreteslab 602.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a side view of a reinforced concrete slab602 with the sleeve device 100, showing shear forces 901 and 909 actingon the reinforced concrete slab 602, internal bearing stresses 902 and908 at the bent stud heads 106 and 107 of the sleeve device 100, andtension 903 and 907 within the bent headed studs 104 and 105 of thesleeve device 100. The shear forces 901 within the reinforced concreteslab 602 are transferred from the reinforced concrete slab 602 to thefirst bent stud head 106 on one opposing side 101 d of the hollow member101 through an internal bearing stress 902 at the first bent stud head106, and then as a tension 903 from the first bent stud head 106 to thefirst bent headed stud 104. The tension 903 in the first bent headedstud 104 is then transferred through the hollow member 101 as shearforces 904, 905, and 906. The shear forces 904, 905, and 906 within thehollow member 101 are transferred to the second bent headed stud 105 onthe other opposing side 101 e of the hollow member 101 as tension 907,which is transferred to the second bent stud head 107. After receivingthe tension 907 through the hollow member 101, the second bent stud head107 transfers the shear forces 909 through an internal bearing stress908 at the second bent stud head 107 to the reinforced concrete column702, for example, an opposing side slab, a wall concrete, anothersupport, etc., as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIG. 10A exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column 702 and a reinforced concrete slab 602, showing a shearcritical section 602 c of the reinforced concrete slab 602. As usedherein, “shear critical section” refers to a section in the reinforcedconcrete slab 602, which defines a slab-column joint punching shearcapacity. The reinforced concrete slab 602 exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 10A is free of penetrations. Consider an example where thereinforced concrete slab 602 of thickness (d), for example, 12″ issupported by a reinforced concrete column 702 of dimensions 12″ by 12″or 1 foot (′) by 1′ as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10A. Consider theshear critical section 602 c to be at a distance (d/2) away from thereinforced concrete column 702 and is therefore 6″ from the reinforcedconcrete column 702. The perimeter (P) of the shear critical section 602c can be calculated as 24″*4 or 2′*4. The area (A) of the shear criticalsection 602 c is the multiplication product of the perimeter (P) of theshear critical section 602 c and the thickness (d) of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602. Therefore, the area (A) of the shear critical section602 c is [(24″*4)*12″]=1152 square inches.

Nominal shear capacity (Vn) of the reinforced concrete slab 602 at thereinforced concrete column 702 is the sum of shear capacity (Vc) of thereinforced concrete slab 602 and shear capacity (Vs) of shearreinforcement, that is, the sleeve device 100 in accordance with theformula:

Vn=Vc+Vs

The shear capacity (Vc) of the reinforced concrete slab 602 is 4 timesthe multiplication product of the area (A) of the shear critical section602 c and the square root of the strength (fc) of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 in accordance with the formula:

Vc=A*4*√{square root over (f′c)}

where “fc” is the strength of the reinforced concrete slab 602, forexample, about 5000 pounds per square inch (psi). Therefore, the shearcapacity (Vc) of the reinforced concrete slab 602 is 1152*4*√5000=325835lbs. The shear capacity (Vs) of the sleeve device 100 is zero since thereinforced concrete slab 602 is free of penetrations and therefore freeof the sleeve device 100. Therefore, the nominal shear capacity (Vn) ofthe reinforced concrete slab 602 at the reinforced concrete column 702is 325835+0=325835 lbs.

FIG. 10B exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column 702 and a reinforced concrete slab 602 with a sleeve1001 formed in the reinforced concrete slab 602, proximal to thereinforced concrete column 702, and showing a shear critical section 602c of the reinforced concrete slab 602. Consider an 8″ core formed sleeve1001 in the reinforced concrete slab 602 as exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 10B. The area (A) of the shear critical section 602 c is calculatedas A=[(24″*4)−8″]*12″=1056 square inches. Then, the shear capacity (Vc)of the reinforced concrete slab 602 can be calculated as1056*4*√5000=298682 lbs. Therefore, the nominal shear capacity (Vn) ofthe reinforced concrete slab 602 at the reinforced concrete column 702without the sleeve device 100 is 298682+0=298682 lbs. Thus, the 8″ coreformed sleeve 1001 reduces the nominal shear capacity (Vn) of thereinforced concrete slab 602 at the reinforced concrete column 702 by27153 lbs.

FIG. 10C exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a reinforcedconcrete column 702 and a reinforced concrete slab 602 with the sleevedevice 100 positioned in the reinforced concrete slab 602, proximal tothe reinforced concrete column 702, and showing a shear critical section602 c of the reinforced concrete slab 602. The sleeve device 100comprising the stud members configured, for example, as bent headedstuds 104 and 105, and head members configured, for example, as bentstud heads 106 and 107 is embedded in the reinforced concrete slab 602for increasing the shear capacity in the reinforced concrete slab 602when compared to the nominal shear capacity (Vn) of the reinforcedconcrete slab 602 at the reinforced concrete column 702 due to theformed sleeve 1001 exemplarily illustrated n FIG. 10B. The sleeve device100 bridges the penetration created in the reinforced concrete slab 602by the formed sleeve 1001 and increases the perimeter (P) of the shearcritical section 602 c of the slab-column connection. Consider thesleeve device 100 is a rigid sleeve device and the associateddeformation of the sleeve device 100 is negligible under shear forces.The enhanced shear capacity of the sleeve device 100 that is required tocompensate the lost nominal shear capacity (Vn) is controlled by thedimensions of the bent headed studs 104 and 105 and the bent stud heads106 and 107 of the sleeve device 100. When the sleeve device 100 isembedded in the reinforced concrete slab 602 and is configured toprovide for the lost nominal shear capacity (Vn)=27153 lbs of thereinforced concrete slab 602 due to the formed sleeve 1001, the totalnominal shear capacity (Vn) of the reinforced concrete slab 602 at thereinforced concrete column 702 becomes equal to or larger than thenominal shear capacity (Vn)=325835 lbs of the reinforced concrete slab602 at the reinforced concrete column 702 before penetration of thereinforced concrete slab 602 with the formed sleeve 1001. Thus, thesleeve device 100 disclosed herein compensates the lost shear capacityof the reinforced concrete slab 602.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose ofexplanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the presentinvention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described withreference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, whichhave been used herein, are words of description and illustration, ratherthan words of limitation. Further, although the invention has beendescribed herein with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having thebenefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerousmodifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

I claim:
 1. A sleeve device for increasing shear capacity of areinforced concrete slab, said sleeve device comprising: a hollow memberpositioned on and fastened to a bottom formwork defining said reinforcedconcrete slab, said hollow member comprising an inner space configuredto create a void in said reinforced concrete slab by pouring of concretearound an outer wall of said hollow member; stud members connected toopposing sides of said hollow member, wherein a first of said studmembers is connected to an upper portion of said hollow member andoriented in a downward direction, and wherein a second of said studmembers is connected to a lower portion of said hollow member andoriented in an upward direction; and head members operably coupled todistal ends of said stud members and embedded in said reinforcedconcrete slab, said head members configured to transfer shear forcesthrough an interaction between said head members and said concretesurrounding said stud members, wherein when said shear forces aretransferred across said sleeve device, said sleeve device increases saidshear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab and compensates for aloss of said shear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab.
 2. Thesleeve device of claim 1, wherein said shear forces within saidreinforced concrete slab are transferred from said reinforced concreteslab to a first of said head members on one of said opposing sides ofsaid hollow member through an internal bearing stress at said first ofsaid head members and then as a tension from said first of said headmembers to said first of said stud members, wherein said tension in saidfirst of said stud members is transferred through said hollow member tosaid second of said stud members on another of said opposing sides ofsaid hollow member, and then to a second of said head members, andwherein after receiving said transferred tension, said second of saidhead members transfers said shear forces through an internal bearingstress at said second of said head members to one of a reinforcedconcrete column, a slab, and a support.
 3. The sleeve device of claim 1,wherein said stud members are bent headed studs affixed to said opposingsides of said hollow member, wherein said bent headed studs areconfigured to transfer tension to and from said hollow member.
 4. Thesleeve device of claim 3, wherein said head members are bent stud headsoperably coupled to said distal ends of said bent headed studs andembedded in said reinforced concrete slab, wherein said bent stud headsare configured to transfer said shear forces through an interactionbetween said bent stud heads and said concrete surrounding said bentheaded studs.
 5. The sleeve device of claim 1, wherein said stud membersare bent plates affixed to said opposing sides of said hollow member,wherein said bent plates are configured to transfer tension to and fromsaid hollow member.
 6. The sleeve device of claim 1, wherein said studmembers are corrugated plates affixed to said opposing sides of saidhollow member, wherein said corrugated plates are configured to transfertension to and from said hollow member.
 7. The sleeve device of claim 1,wherein said stud members are straight headed studs affixed to saidopposing sides of said hollow member, wherein said straight headed studsare configured to transfer tension to and from said hollow member. 8.The sleeve device of claim 1, wherein said stud members are bentreinforcing bars affixed to said opposing sides of said hollow member,wherein said bent reinforcing bars are configured to transfer tension toand from said hollow member.
 9. The sleeve device of claim 1, whereinsaid head members are configured in multiple shapes to generate tensilestresses in said stud members.
 10. The sleeve device of claim 1, whereinsaid hollow member is one of a generally cylindrical shape, a cubicshape, a cuboidal shape, and an octagonal shape.
 11. The sleeve deviceof claim 1, wherein a cross section of said hollow member is of ageometric shape comprising at least one of a circular shape, a squareshape, a rectangular shape, and an octagonal shape.
 12. The sleevedevice of claim 1, wherein said hollow member, said stud members, andsaid head members are of predefined sizes configured to accommodatedifferent opening sizes of said void and structural capacities of saidreinforced concrete slab.
 13. The sleeve device of claim 1, wherein saidstud members are further configured to be rotated and repositioned totransfer tension to and from said stud members and said hollow member ina plurality of directions.
 14. The sleeve device of claim 1, whereinsaid stud members are directly welded to said opposing sides of saidhollow member.
 15. The sleeve device of claim 1, wherein said studmembers are connected to said opposing sides of said hollow member usingconnectors.
 16. A sleeve device for increasing shear capacity of areinforced concrete slab, said sleeve device comprising: a hollow memberpositioned on and fastened to a bottom formwork defining said reinforcedconcrete slab, said hollow member comprising an inner space configuredto create a void in said reinforced concrete slab by pouring of concretearound an outer wall of said hollow member; bent headed studs connectedto opposing sides of said hollow member, wherein a first of said bentheaded studs is connected to an upper portion of said hollow member andoriented in a downward direction, and wherein a second of said bentheaded studs is connected to a lower portion of said hollow member andoriented in an upward direction; and bent stud heads operably coupled todistal ends of said bent headed studs and embedded in said reinforcedconcrete slab, said bent stud heads configured to transfer shear forcesthrough an interaction between said bent stud heads and said concretesurrounding said bent headed studs, wherein when said shear forces aretransferred across said sleeve device, said sleeve device increases saidshear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab and compensates for aloss of said shear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab.
 17. Thesleeve device of claim 16, wherein said shear forces within saidreinforced concrete slab are transferred from said reinforced concreteslab to a first of said bent stud heads on one of said opposing sides ofsaid hollow member through an internal bearing stress at said first ofsaid bent stud heads and then as a tension from said first of said bentstud heads to said first of said bent headed studs, wherein said tensionin said first of said bent headed studs is transferred through saidhollow member to said second of said bent headed studs on another ofsaid opposing sides of said hollow member, and then to a second of saidbent stud heads, and wherein after receiving said transferred tension,said second of said bent stud heads transfers said shear forces throughan internal bearing stress at said second of said bent stud heads to oneof a reinforced concrete column, a slab, and a support.
 18. The sleevedevice of claim 16, wherein said hollow member is one of a generallycylindrical shape, a cubic shape, a cuboidal shape, and an octagonalshape.
 19. The sleeve device of claim 16, wherein a cross section ofsaid hollow member is of a geometric shape comprising at least one of acircular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and an octagonalshape.
 20. The sleeve device of claim 16, wherein said hollow member,said bent headed studs, and said bent stud heads are of predefined sizesconfigured to accommodate different opening sizes of said void andstructural capacities of said reinforced concrete slab.
 21. The sleevedevice of claim 16, wherein said bent stud heads are configured inmultiple shapes to generate tensile stresses in said bent headed studs.22. The sleeve device of claim 16, wherein said bent headed studs arefurther configured to be rotated and repositioned to transfer tension toand from said stud members and said hollow member in a plurality ofdirections.
 23. The sleeve device of claim 16, wherein said bent headedstuds are directly welded to said opposing sides of said hollow member.24. The sleeve device of claim 16, wherein said bent headed studs areconnected to said opposing sides of said hollow member using connectors.25. A method for increasing shear capacity of a reinforced concreteslab, said method comprising: providing a sleeve device comprising: ahollow member comprising an inner space; stud members connected toopposing sides of said hollow member, wherein a first of said studmembers is connected to an upper portion of said hollow member andoriented in a downward direction, and wherein a second of said studmembers is connected to a lower portion of said hollow member andoriented in an upward direction; and head members operably coupled todistal ends of said stud members and embedded in said reinforcedconcrete slab; positioning and fastened said sleeve device to a bottomformwork defining said reinforced concrete slab; creating a void in saidreinforced concrete slab using said hollow member of said sleeve deviceby pouring concrete around an outer wall of said hollow member;transferring shear forces from within said reinforced concrete slab to afirst of said head members on one of said opposing sides of said hollowmember through an internal bearing stress at said first of said headmembers; transferring said internal bearing stress from said first ofsaid head members to said first of said stud members as a tension;transferring said tension from said first of said stud members throughsaid hollow member to said second of said stud members on another ofsaid opposing sides of said hollow member; transferring said tensionfrom said second of said stud members to a second of said head members;and transferring said shear forces to one of a reinforced concretecolumn, a slab, and a support through an internal bearing stress at saidsecond of said head members, after receiving said transferred tension insaid second of said head members, wherein when said shear forces aretransferred across said sleeve device, said sleeve device increases saidshear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab and compensates for aloss of said shear capacity in said reinforced concrete slab.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein said head members of said sleeve device areconfigured to transfer said shear forces through an interaction betweensaid head members and said concrete surrounding said stud members ofsaid sleeve device.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said studmembers of said sleeve device are bent headed studs affixed to saidopposing sides of said hollow member, wherein said bent headed studs areconfigured to transfer said tension to and from said hollow member. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein said head members of said sleeve deviceare bent stud heads operably coupled to said distal ends of said bentheaded studs and embedded in said reinforced concrete slab, wherein saidbent stud heads are configured to transfer shear forces through aninteraction between said bent stud heads and said concrete surroundingsaid bent headed studs.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said studmembers of said sleeve device are one of bent plates, corrugated plates,straight headed studs, and bent reinforcing bars affixed to saidopposing sides of said hollow member to transfer said tension to andfrom said hollow member of said sleeve device.
 30. The method of claim25, wherein said head members of said sleeve device are configured inmultiple shapes to generate tensile stresses in said stud members. 31.The method of claim 25, wherein said hollow member of said sleeve deviceis one of a generally cylindrical shape, a cubic shape, a cuboidalshape, and an octagonal shape.
 32. The method of claim 25, wherein across section of said hollow member of said sleeve device is of ageometric shape comprising at least one of a circular shape, a squareshape, a rectangular shape, and an octagonal shape.
 33. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said hollow member, said stud members, and said headmembers of said sleeve device are of predefined sizes configured toaccommodate different opening sizes of said void and structuralcapacities of said reinforced concrete slab.
 34. The method of claim 25,further comprising rotating and repositioning said stud members totransfer said tension to and from said stud members and said hollowmember in a plurality of directions.